On Christmas Eve, a gang attack in Haiti claimed the lives of two journalists and left several others injured during the reopening of the General Hospital in Port-au-Prince, the nation’s capital. The attack highlights the growing control of armed gangs over the city, which has plunged the country into turmoil.
Armed gangs, including the powerful Viv Ansanm coalition, have taken over an estimated 85% of Port-au-Prince. The General Hospital, once the largest public healthcare facility in the country, had been shut down earlier this year due to violent gang activity. Despite promises by Haitian authorities to reopen the hospital on Tuesday, the reopening ceremony was marred by gunfire from suspected gang members.
According to the Online Media Collective, the two journalists killed in the attack were Markenzy Nathoux and Jimmy Jean. In addition to the fatalities, several reporters were wounded during the assault. Footage from inside the hospital showed bloodied bodies of the journalists, with one wearing a press credential lanyard. The attack was reportedly carried out by members of the Viv Ansanm gang coalition, led by notorious gang leader Johnson “Izo” André.
Haiti’s interim president, Leslie Voltaire, condemned the attack in a public address, offering condolences to the victims and their families. While he did not confirm the exact number of casualties, Voltaire pledged that the crime would not go unpunished.
The attack marks the latest in a series of violent incidents that have increasingly targeted Haiti’s press and police forces. Just earlier this year, two Haitian journalists, Dumesky Kersaint and Ricot Jean, were killed, underscoring the growing danger faced by journalists in the country.
The General Hospital, once a symbol of hope for Haiti’s beleaguered healthcare system, has been severely affected by the ongoing violence. Gang activities have forced the closure of several medical institutions and pharmacies, crippling an already fragile health infrastructure. With many hospitals and clinics unable to function, the country’s health system is facing severe strain, worsened by the rainy season and an ongoing cholera outbreak.
Haiti’s health sector is also grappling with a dire shortage of resources to address the rising health crises, as more and more people seek medical care amid escalating violence and a lack of basic services. This violent attack on the reopening of the General Hospital is a stark reminder of the challenges facing Haiti, where gangs have gained increasing control and undermined the nation’s social infrastructure.
The attack has left the country’s citizens and the international community grappling with the reality of escalating gang violence, which has claimed the lives of not only the innocent but also those committed to reporting on Haiti’s struggle for stability and peace.
Sources By Agencies
